Have you found the American dream? For decades, people living in the United States have been in pursuit of this phenomenon for their lives and their children’s legacy. But what is the American dream and how can you make it part of your life?

The “American dream” definition comes from a book published in 1931 called The Epic of America by James Truslow Adams. It reads: “…life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement….” In that era of our country’s turbulent transition from mostly rural to mostly urban lifestyles following World War I, the flu pandemic, and the Great Depression, people were looking for inspiration. They needed goals to aspire to, and hope to make them happen. American dreams included the desire for a good-paying job, a healthy family and the potential to become whatever one wished.

In the lands of our ancestors, opportunities for self-actualization and unlimited success were negligible except for those born into families of class and privilege. But in the United States, personal and communal values of individualism and the work ethic instilled by Puritan settlers and hopeful immigrants carved a new identity for the American people. It provided them with the chance to have dreams, and reach them, by sheer will and perseverance.

Whether you have an American dream or are still looking for one, the following points will help to clarify its meaning.

TheAmerican Dream is Attainable By All There are no social, religious or racial boundaries that can prevent anyone from striving for an American dream of their choosing.

Everyone has an equal chance, more or less, to achieve their goals and become whoever they wish to be, including immigrants and disabled persons. Despite periodic obstacles like racism and gender issues, most people in this country are able to accomplish all they want to, with or without others’ help. Some may need more assistance or support than others.

Since the concept of an American dream evolved during a period of financial hardship in our country, it is understandable that for many people, the “dream” represented job security and financial success. Although government programs like WPA and Social Security soon were implemented to provide Americans with temporary and long-term financial support, people sought not just jobs, but careers that would be fulfilling and lasting.

The American Dream of Home OwnershipAlong with secure jobs came benefits like the American dream home. The era of farm living and urban apartments gradually evolved into suburban homes with grassy yards and picket fences. Housing developments sprang up to provide affordable home ownership.

In addition to home ownership, families could buy automobiles and appliances—increasingly on revolving payment plans, or credit. Enjoying more leisure time than previous generations, families could now afford to take vacations, pay country club memberships and buy sporting equipment.-

More children went to college to ensure that they could get better jobs and live their own American dream. The standard of living rose significantly to reflect a prosperous middle class, a hefty wealthy class and social programs for the lower class.

Through three quarters of the twentieth century, the American dream represented opportunities to get ahead and become everything that parents were not able to do. But later in the century, the American dream changed shape to embody new opportunities for a changing society.

The New American Dream Emphasizes Equal Rights and Challenges Old NormsRights for minorities, women, criminals, and even the unborn were questioned and debated, with legislation enacting various laws that supported and negated proposed rights based on policymakers’ interpretations.

Returning full circle to our nation’s origins, this dream allowed people to reject the status quo of material prosperity and to embrace simple life on communes or shared living communities. Rejecting restrictive clothing, engaging in freer lifestyles, and growing one’s food were two ways in which people returned to their roots as the new American dream. Executives began leaving professional careers to buy farms or vineyards, and many women went back to treading the mommy track over climbing the corporate ladder.

Instead of working hard and saving money to reach their goals, some people began looking for easy ways to cash in on success, such as buying lottery tickets or trying to win cash on prize-awarding game shows. Today, many full-time and part-time employees are choosing to work from home on a flexible schedule that allows them to spend time with families or pursue other interests.

The American Dream and Becoming a Success Opportunities to become successful are still part of our national identity. Higher education is more accessible than ever, and more students are entering college to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees.

And the idea of homeownership has taken on a new spin. People not only own their own homes, but some have vacation or summer homes, while others travel the country several months a year in their RV’s (recreational vehicles). Two-income families where spouses live in different parts of the country are a growing trend, leading to two-home ownership. Larger, more spacious, and exceedingly elegant homes are being purchased by middle class Americans today.

American Dreams Continue to FlourishAs our immigration rates escalate, more people from around the globe are coming to the United States to live their own dream of getting a decent-paying job and settling into a comfortable society.

Some work two jobs not only to make ends meet, but to get ahead and enjoy a life of substance.

Few countries in the world enjoy the standard of living, equal rights and material opportunities that are abundant in the United States. The swelling tide of immigration is evidence of this fact. From getting an education to enjoying a meaningful career, personal fulfillment is readily available to those who are willing to seek it out. As our society continues to recognize barriers and deal with them to provide expanded access to individual success, we must continue as a society to help others realize their American dreams so that no one feels disenfranchised or short-changed with respect to opportunities.

The American dream began as a vague reference to our aspirations for a better life. Since then, millions of people have reached their dreams and worked to help others achieve theirs. The more we work together to embrace an American dream that benefits everyone, the sooner our society will reach its potential and continue to be a beacon of light to those in search of hope and success.

Are you living your life to the fullest?James Dean once said, "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." Do you take time to pursue your passions or are you a slave to the daily grind? Find out if you need a new lease on life with this quiz.